death certificate
Definition of death certificate
: an official document that gives information about a person's death (such as when and how the death happened)
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Word by Word Definitions
: a permanent cessation of all vital (see vital 2a) functions : the end of life — compare brain death
: an instance of dying
: the cause or occasion of loss of life
: a document containing a certified statement especially as to the truth of something
: a document certifying that one has fulfilled the requirements of and may practice in a field
: something serving the same end as a certificate
: to testify to or authorize by a certificate
: certify
Law Dictionary
death certificate
Legal Definition of death certificate
: a document setting forth information (as age, occupation, and place of birth) relating to a dead person and including a doctor's certification of the cause of death
Additional Notes on death certificate
Death certificates are issued by a particular public official, as a city or town clerk. A death certificate is required to document a person's death for certain purposes, as to file an estate tax return or to probate an estate.
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